2026 POSTER CONTEST WINNER
Caryn Chavarria
The winner of the 2026 Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival poster contest is Caryn Chavarria, an art teacher at Rockville High School. As the winner of poster contest, Caryn will receive a cash prize of $500 and an additional $100 will be donated to her school for art supplies. The prize was donated by IHOP Wheaton which is owned and operated by Wheaton resident, William Moore. After Caryn's artwork was selected, she worked with Wheaton Arts Parade designer Josue Martinez of Corinto Gallery to adapt her artwork for the poster and T-shirt. Her design will be used on all marketing materials for the 10th Anniversary of the Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival.
Paige Friedeman (WAP Gallery Mgr), Eli Jackson, Caryn Chavarria, William Moore, Dan Thompson (WAP ED), & Mary Stickles (WAP Board Treasurer)
William Moore awards the $500 prize to Caryn. IHOP VP Eli Jackson approves.
Chavarria, also known as Caryndipity, is a Latina artist and educator raised in Silver Spring. Inspired by community and everyday moments of wonder, Caryn creates vibrant digital illustrations filled with playful details and whimsical storytelling. Her design for the Wheaton Arts Parade celebrates all the different events that take place during the parade, such as dancing, music, art, face paint, yarn bomb and joy! To celebrate 10 years of the Wheaton Arts Parade, the design features two hands showing a 1 and a 0. Caryn pays homage to a place near and dear to her heart because after living in Maryland most of her life, she will be leaving for a new teaching position in Carlsbad, CA.
